We all have values we like to display proudly on our walls and in our work journals, like “integrity” or “innovation”. But we also have other values that we unthinkingly act on in the heat of a moment, like “I have to win this debate or I’m a bad leader” or “I’m suspicious of Bob because he interrupted me last week”.
Just because they’re not “nice” doesn’t mean they’re not values.
It would be lovely if we all really lived totally from those nice lists that are framed on our walls. But we’re leaders, not saints, and so we don’t. You’ll be better served as a leader by taking a breath, making a plan, and asking yourself–why am I *really* doing this?
